Samnite Body Armor.

by Daniel Russ on May 12, 2012

Samnite Helmet

Samnites lived in south central Italy region of south or south and central Italy in Roman times, in a territory around the Appenines. The Samnites were the first robust competition for the early Roman Republic. They wore armored body plates, carried round eliptical shields and wielded a spear and a curved blade knife. They were a warrior people and fought three major wars against the Romans. Here are examples of their helmets and bronze shields and body armor. They were highly influenced by the Greek metallurgists, and featured wings and often high crests not unlike the helmets of Hoplites.